Archive for the 'Miscellaneous' Category

Mailbag Question - Jay Z/Lil’ Wayne

Lil WayneLakers.com reader Stanley checked in recently with this question:

Q: Jay-Z has seemed to have aligned himself with LeBron James (he’s in his new video) and Lil’ Wayne made the song called “Kobe Bryant”… So who wins that battle, and what’s your take on arguably the two best rappers in the industry using the two best basketball players on the planet to sell records?
- Stanley, Valencia, CA

Any time someone can sensibly mix Jay-Z and Lil’ Wayne into a legit question, I’m compelled to answer. In fact, this topic could probably circle sports talk radio for weeks (OK, maybe a day … all right, an hour … fine, one segment). Alas, I’ll first refer to J-Peezy’s Playlist. During our 2009 Lakers Hip Hop Draft (Playlist No. 3), featuring Josh Powell and Shannon Brown with myself on the side, Lil’ Wayne went No. 1 overall (to Powell), while Jay-Z fell to No. 3 (to Brown as I took 2pac second).

“(Lil’ Wayne’s) just poppin,’,” said Powell at the time. “He’s gettin’ it in right now. I’ve been a ‘Lil Wayne fan since he was 12.”

I’d argue that while Jay-Z is the more accomplished artist at this stage (who has more hits?), the younger generation of NBA players seem to prefer Lil’ Wayne. Many, like Powell, literally grew up with him. Per your question, Stanley, the fact that Weezy not only wrote a rap about Kobe, but that it’s well-written and has a solid beat, supersedes an appearance in Jay-Z’s video from LeBron. Furthermore, Lil’ Wayne joined Kanye West to perform at L.A.’s championship party, so I’d have to say that the man from the South gets Round 1.

I’m not really sure, however, that the rappers are using the athletes to sell records; entertainers and athletes seem to envy one another’s careers and seem constantly eager to cross over. At the same time, your point is taken - it probably doesn’t hurt the record sales to go the athlete route. Thanks for the question.

Camp Lakers Fun For All

Jim CleamonsShort and sweet was the verbiage on the cover of the 2009 Camp Lakers program, which detailed what the organization had to offer for its 10th season on the campus of the University of California-Santa Barbara:

16 Hall of Famers
15 NBA Championships
1 Camp

With two early-July sessions, Camp Lakers featured appearances by five different Lakers players - Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, D.J. Mbenga, Josh Powell and Sasha Vujacic - as young hoopsters went through basketball activities for five days and four nights.

“Camp Lakers was started to provide a unique experience for aspiring basketball players between the ages of 10-18,” said Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak. “In addition to many of the Laker coaches, staff and players that appear at the camp many of the nation’s top high school coaches work the camp’s two sessions every year.”

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE, CLICK HERE

Watch Phil’s 10 Championship Clinchers

Phil JacksonNo coach in basketball has more championships than Lakers head man Phil Jackson, a feat he cemented with L.A.’s 4-1 series win over the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals.

As such, Jackson surpassed Celtics legend Red Auerbach for the top spot in NBA annals after winning six times with the Chicago Bulls and four times with the Lakers.

To honor Jackson’s accomplishment, NBA TV will be airing all of Jackson’s biggest victories, starting with Game 5 of the 1991 Finals between the Bulls and Lakers.

Here’s the NBA TV schedule for July 27 and 28:

MONDAY, JULY 27
12:00 p.m. - Bulls vs. Lakers, Game 5 — 1991 Finals
2 p.m. - Blazers vs. Bulls, Game 6 — 1992 Finals
4 p.m. - Bulls vs. Suns, Game 6 — 1993 Finals
6 p.m. - Sonics vs. Bulls, Game 6 — 1996 Finals
8 p.m. - Jazz vs. Bulls, Game 6 — 1997 Finals
10:30 p.m. - Bulls vs. Jazz, Game 6 — 1998 Finals

TUESDAY, JULY 28
12:30 a.m. - Pacers vs. Lakers, Game 6 — 2000 Finals
2:30 a.m. - Lakers vs. Sixers, Game 5 — 2001 Finals
4:30 a.m. - Lakers vs. Nets, Game 5 — 2002 Finals
6:30 a.m. - Lakers vs. Magic, Game 5 — 2008 Finals
9 a.m. - Bulls vs. Suns, Game 6 — 1993 Finals
11 a.m. - Bulls vs. Jazz, Game 6 — 1998 Finals
1 p.m. - Pacers vs. Lakers, Game 6 — 2001 Finals
3 p.m. - Lakers vs. Sixers, Game 5 — 2001 Finals
5 p.m. - Lakers vs. Nets, Game 4 — 2002 Finals

Laker Girl Finals Photo Gallery

LG FinalsA week after the always-highly-attended Laker Girl Auditions, the Finalists returned to El Segundo to take their shot at cracking the final roster.

CLICK HERE to view the photo gallery from the finals.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters Honors Lakers

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) reacted on Wednesday to passage in the U.S. House of Representatives of her resolution honoring the Lakers on their 15th NBA Title, H. Res. 566.

As the NBA Finals Champions, the 2009 Los Angeles Lakers are quite deserving of this honor the House of Representatives has bestowed upon them. The Lakers kept us on the edge of our seats all season, never failing to amaze us with their teamwork, talent, and determination … The effective leadership and talent of Coach Phil Jackson and the athleticism and team spirit demonstrated by Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, Paul Gasol, and Trevor Ariza – a graduate of Westchester High School in my District – made for an unstoppable combination,” said Congresswoman Waters. “Like previous Laker greats such as Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Pat Riley, and of course Coach Phil Jackson who now holds 10 NBA Finals Championships, the players on this year’s team have cemented their place in the history books. Congratulations once again to the 2009 Los Angeles Lakers.

Mitch Kupchack: Season-Ending Presser

blog_090619mitchkupchakAfter Phil Jackson took his turn, Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak sat down to address assembled media members.

He began with an opening statement:

Obviously it was a wonderful, exciting and very fulfilling year from lots of perspectives. It’s been a whirlwind week since we returned to Los Angeles. I thought the parade was wonderful … It kind of brings a conclusion to the celebration. As you know, the draft is next week. We’re actively working on preparation for the draft and have a busy summer.

Here are some highlights from the rest, which will be made available on video shortly:

- Kupchak maintained that the team would like to keep as much of the championship-winning team in place as possible, including Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza and Kobe Bryant. He said that the whole process could end quickly, since opposing teams can make offers starting on July 7, and hopes that the process goes quickly: “The market is a free market … We don’t have rights to match on any players. We’ll make decisions and hopefully we can (do it quickly).”

- The bottom line on re-signing L.A.’s free agents: “I would use the word hopeful. I don’t know what the market will be.”

- On Phil Jackson’s potential return, including the setting of a date upon which Phil Jackson is obligated to declare his intentions: “There is a date, and this is nothing new. We signed him to a two year extension with the understanding that the second year was his option. We picked a date that made sense to both parties … Here we are, and that date is fast approaching. It’s not really fair to impose our ability to force him to make a decision under the circumstances (of the season going so long). We’ll work with him and give him the time he needs. We’re talking about hopefully within the next week or two or three, but we’re not going to hold him to (the date).

- On whose decision it is to make regarding how far L.A. will go over the luxury tax: “It’s not my decision. That much we know for sure. Dr. Buss, Jimmy Buss and I meet on a regular basis. We have not met recently although I talk to Jimmy all the time and he talks to his dad all the time. I anticipate the three of us getting together prior to July 1. It’s Dr. Buss’s decision.

- Kupchack delved into the team’s draft situation, the synthesis of which is that L.A. likely won’t keep all of its picks: “We have three picks, and if we bring back the players we want to we’ll have at least 13 players on our roster. It stands to reason that we’d look to either move a pick, trade a pick, exchange picks for future picks or pick a player and look for them to play overseas for at least a year.”

- On Kobe’s situation: “Obviously we’re aware of (his contract options) but we have no indication of what he may or may not do.”

- On what it was like to win this season after what he went through as a GM being questioned in the last few years: “I’ve always felt comfortable in my position and my relationship with ownership. I think it’s a good thing (the pressures in L.A.) because it challenges you.”

- Kupchak expressed what it meant to him to see the kind of support the people gave at the parade. “I was emotional. It was an emotional sign of support for our organization.”

- Things don’t slow down for Kupchak until the end of August, he said.

- Kupchak cited the “huge support” he’s gotten from Ronnie Lester, his assistant GM, who has handled so much.

- The best chance for L.A. to repeat, according to Kupchak, is to “Bring the team back as close to we can.” Kupchak has confidence that can happen because Dr. Buss has “Always done the right thing in terms of putting this organization in a position to compete. He makes really well thought out basketball-business decisions. I trust his judgment and ability to do that.”

California Senators Congratulate The Lakers

U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein passed a resolution on Wednesday congratulating the Los Angeles Lakers for winning the 2009 NBA Championship.

“This championship brings great pride to Los Angeles,” said Senator Boxer. “I congratulate the players, coaches, owner and general manager – and, of course – the fans. I am honored to commend the Los Angeles Lakers on winning another NBA Championship and the Lakers’ Head Coach Phil Jackson on making history by winning his 10th championship.”

Senator Feinstein added the following: “The Lakers are, in fact, the dream team of basketball. All I can say is ‘right on,’ and congratulations for a season well won.”

Fisher, Mayor Villaraigosa Talk Parade

Four-time NBA champion Derek Fisher, flanked by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Councilwoman Jan Perry and Police Chief William Bratton, had a message for Lakers fans and L.A. citizens:

Have a great deal of fun in Wednesday’s parade that celebrates the team’s 15th championship … Just not too much fun.

“We feel like we win with class, and when we win we enjoy it and like to celebrate, but we have a responsibility to do it in a way that’s respectful to our community,” said Fisher. “My message is that tomorrow we (celebrate) responsibly, safely and with other people in mind, not just ourselves. We don’t want to have one person or one small group of people ruin this opportunity for us to have a great day.”

Villaraigosa and Bratton, after praising the work of Fisher and his team, echoed the captain’s sentiment of safety in celebration.

“This team has always been a symbol of pride for the City of Angels,” said Villaraigosa. “This town deserves a championship team. This is going to be a great celebration … Let’s do it in a way that respects these champions.”

Villaraigosa added that the parade alone is expected to generate some $15 million for the local economy.

One Night Only: Stu Lantz

Stu LantzEvery game for the past four years, home & away, regular season & post season, you’ve heard former Lakers forward Mychal Thompson’s voice alongside Spero Dedes on the team’s radio broadcast. Tonight, Thompson won’t be available due to the graduation of his youngest son Trayce, but we’ve found a familiar voice to pinch-hit: Stu Lantz.

While Lantz is a radio veteran from his days next to Chick Hearn in the broadcast booth, it’s been almost six-years since he has appeared on the radio waves. The Lakers discontinued the simulcast format before the 2003-04 season and since then Stu has appeared exclusively on the TV side of things.

This won’t be the first time that Dedes and Lantz have teamed up, briefly working together during the Summer Pro League a few years back.

We caught up with both Spero and Stu to talk about radio vs. television, working together, and the outlook for the Lakers in Game 6.

 
icon for podpress  Dedes/Lantz Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

“Mr. Clutch” Gets New Gig

Jerry WestAs reported by ESPN.com Golf Writer Jason Sobel, Lakers legend Jerry West has been named Executive Director of the PGA Tour’s Northern Trust Open.

“The Northern Trust Open is more than a golf tournament,” said West, who played all 14 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. “It’s an opportunity to bring all of L.A. together to make an impact on this great city, to grow the programs associated with the event — those that help children across the city and those that are so desperately needed, especially in these economic times. It’s an honor to become a part of the Northern Trust Open and work to make this event the absolute best in the world.”

The tournament formerly known as the L.A. Open takes place annually at the Riviera Country Club. To read the full story click here.

Happy 71st Birthday Jerry.